By William Chikomo.
Masvingo, Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – Cash strapped Masvingo City Council last week resolved to engage debt collectors to help in the recovery of more that $20 million which the local authority is owed by residents and government departments in unpaid bills.
Barely a year after Minister of Local Government Ignatious Chombo ordered local authorities to scrap all bills they were owed by residents, the move seem to be worsening the situation as residents are now turning a blind eye on their water bills.
In a press statement Masvingo City Council Clerk Adolf Gusha said they will handover defaulting residents to debt collectors starting on November 21 this year.
“Masvingo City Council is owed large amounts of unpaid bills by residents of Masvingo. It is now failing to meet its financial requirements as and when they fall due. In view of this, the City Council is left with no option except to engage debt collectors to recover outstanding amounts,” read part of the statement.
Gusha however urged residents to start clearing their outstanding balances before council embraces a legal route to recover its money.
“We therefore would like to advise our consumers or ratepayers that all those who would not have settled their bills by 21st of November 2014 will be handed over to recover our dues with costs. This coursen of action can be avoided if we all pay our bills. Please be advised accordingly,” said Gusha in a statement.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association Programmes Officer Anoziva Muguti blasted council`s move to drag residents to debt collectors saying they didn’t even approach residents to discuss the matter.
Muguti said residents have been very religious at abiding to their set payment plans and council should further strengthen such a platform.
“The city council has shown us that they don’t believe in dialogue. They never engaged us as residents to air their views concerning the issue of non-payment of bills. From my understanding residents are willing to abide to set payment plans”.
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